TEXAN Mark Brooks fired a four under par 68 yesterday to take a one stroke lead over a trio golfers at the $1.5 million Houston Open. Brooks moved to 10 under 134 through 36 holes, shot ahead of Doug Martin and first round co-leaders Tommy Tolles and Mike.

The 35 year old Brooks is trying to join Phil Mickelson and Mark O'Meara as two time winners on the PGA Tour this season. He captured his fifth career victory at the Bob Hope Classic in January and followed that up by finishing in a second place tie at the Los Angeles Open five weeks later.

Martin shot a four under 68, while Tolles and Springer carded 69s. David Duval and Jeff Maggert, who makes his home at this course, are tied at eight under 136, two strokes behind Brooks. Duval had a 70 and Maggert shot 69.

Lee Janzen, one of only two players to win three events last year, heads the list of golfers who are tied at seven under 137. He shot 71 to join Greg Kraft, Jay Delsing, Hisayuki Sasaki, Len Mattiace and Joe Ozaki three shots off the pace.

Defending champion Payne Stewart dropped eight shots off the lead after yesterday's 70 left him on two under 142. Last year, he faced a seven stroke deficit entering the final round before rallying to tie Scott Hoch. Stewart went on to win on the first playoff hole.